Phat Tich Pagoda, located in Phat Tich commune, Bac Ninh Province, is an ancient pagoda nearly a thousand years old, with distinctive architecture dating back to the Ly dynasty. This is also a place to store unique national treasures found nowhere else.
Also known as Van Phuc Pagoda, currently preserves two unique national treasures: the Amitabha Buddha statue and a set of 10 stone animal statues.
The blue stone statue of Amitayus Buddha
The Amitabha Buddha statue, dating to the 11th century during the medieval period, is worshiped in the main hall of Phat Tich Pagoda. Dimensions: 1.86 m high; including the pedestal, it is 2.69 m; pedestal circumference: 5.92 m.
The statue is carved from a whole block of blue stone consisting of 2 parts: the statue and the pedestal. The statue is slender, sitting cross-legged, with two hands facing up, placed in front of the abdomen, resting lightly on the thighs, the folds of the tight-fitting coat, with graceful curves, hanging down to cover the legs.
The benevolent face, the thin, delicately curved eyelashes, are depicted with a soft, continuous line, phoenix eyes, and a high neck with three folds.
The pedestal is decorated with lotus petals, water-wave patterns, and dragons, and is depicted as a blooming flower with two layers of petals. The motifs are all carved meticulously and softly.
The pedestal base is a pyramidal block, cut into four steps, with an octagonal plan. The pedestal base is decorated with dragons, waves, clouds, and swirling fire.
The Amitabha Buddha statue is the largest and most beautiful stone Buddha statue of the Ly Dynasty in Vietnam. The decorative motifs on the pedestal reflect the indigenous artistry of highly skilled workers from this period.
The new Amitabha Buddha statue was built of green stone, over 27 m high and weighing 3,000 tons, and placed atop Phat Tich Mountain, 108 m above sea level, at the Phat Tich Pagoda.
The ten stone animal statues
Another unique national treasure at Phat Tich Pagoda is a set of 10 stone animal statues on the second step of the pagoda’s 3-level foundation, including lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, and horses. Two of each type, lying on a lotus pedestal carved from large blocks of stone, thousands of years old.
The rhinoceros statue symbolizes those who practice diligently until the day of liberation.
The lion image symbolizes the power to protect the Buddha Dharma, and is often placed on both sides of the entrance to pagodas.
The elephant statue to the right of the Three Jewels has lost its tusks and trunk. Elephants are considered symbols of physical and mental strength, as well as responsibility and truthfulness.
The stone horse to the right of the Three Jewels. Horses are considered symbols of energy and effort in Buddhist practice, a means of transport for the mind. And the buffalo symbolizes certainty, loyalty, gentleness, diligence, and honesty.
The ten stone sacred animals are arranged in 2 rows, symmetrically placed in front of the Three Jewels. According to the stele “Van Phuc Dai Thien Tu Bi” erected in 1686, talking about the construction of Phat Tich Pagoda, these statues were carved at the same time as the pagoda was built.
The current stupa at Phat Tich Pagoda is a newly built structure, reminiscent of the pagoda’s ancient tower during its heyday.
During restoration surveys, the foundation of the Ly Dynasty tower was found intact beneath the pagoda, along with many relics representing the art of building Phat Tich Pagoda, a unique Ly Dynasty building tradition that is currently preserved in its original form.
Source: collected by An
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